AUSTIN, Febuary 12, 2017 - The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) issued a total of 956 original drilling permits in January 2017 compared to 510 in January 2016. The January total included 865 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, 12 to re-enter plugged well bores and 79 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits issued January 2017 included 259 oil, 67 gas, 607 oil or gas, 18 injection, one service and four other permits.

In January 2017, Commission staff processed 418 oil, 84 gas, 31 injection and three other completions compared to 951 oil, 197 gas, 52 injection and four other completions in January 2016. Total well completions for 2017 year to date are 536; down from 1,204 recorded during the same period in 2016.

According to Baker Hughes Inc., the Texas rig count as of February 10 was 362, representing about 49 percent of all active rigs in the United States.